Shepherd's Bag

Boundaries & Chidren

2011-05-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Let me just say, having raised 4 children of my own, it's not the Terrible Twos or the Trying Teens that's the toughest part... but rather it's the STAGE of ADULTHOOD that's the toughest part about boundaries and children! Learning to let go, learning to allow your children to find their own way is a messy and hard process. Here are just a few of the lessons I've learned that may help you or someone you know!

1) Set Boundaries About Adult Children and Your Home

If They Stay: If your children stay living in your home after graduation, then there needs to be some clear boundaries. While our children are children, it's OUR HOME, but once they become adults, it's YOUR HOME. If they want to stay in your home then:

a. They go to college and maintain a C or B or better average. Whatever they're capable of, set the boundary there. But no loafing, no wasting parents time and money. It's time for the little bird to learn to fly!

b. If they do not go to college or if they go and goof off, then it's, "Get a job and pay rent". "We don't allow borders to live here for free!!!" I know you may be thinking this is harsh, but believe me... you don't want a 30 year old child still sponging off of old mom and dad. You have earned the right to enjoy your own lives once the child rearing is through. So, demand that they grow up or get out. They'll thank you for it somewhere down the road and you'll definitely thank yourself for it!

If They Go: If your child leaves home after graduation, set boundaries about when, how, and why they can back home to live. There are appropriate times to help our children rebound, re-adjust, and re-focus, but it needs to be established with boundaries... time frames, rules, expectations. I remeber telling one of my adult children: "You may be an adult, but around here we go to bed by 10:30, so if you want to live here you'll do the same. If you want to stay out to all hours of the night, go pay your own bills some where!" I'm all for being the parent God calls us to be while the children are still children, but once they're grown I'm all for esatblishing a life for mom amd dad and letting the adult children establish their life as well.

2) Set Boundaries About Bailing Out Your Adult Children

Financially: There needs to be a limit on helping your adult children financially because they need to learn financial responsibilty. There are consequences for every decision! If you have to always bail them out, co-sign for them, etc., then God must not be in favor of the financial decisions they're making. Credit can destroy people. Often children want what mom and dad took 30 or 40 years to accumulate, right now. Don't finance that mentality, set boundaries!

Trouble: Just as with children, we don't need to rescue them from every consequence, so with our adult children too. Do not run to their rescue or bail them out every time they get into trouble. Sometimes we will never change until the pain of our consequences is greater than the pleasure of our decisions.

3) Set Boundaries About Respecting Your Adult Children's Adulthood

I remeber when my oldest son first got married and worked on staff at our church. There was an incident where they were going to be out late and driving late. I told him, "Absolutely not! You need to get your 'Behind' home at a decent hour". I'll never forget the feeling of shame and embarassment when I realized I was telling another adult, married man what to do. It was hard for mom and dad to make the adjustment to adult children.

Respect their privacy and don't butt in! I know that you may have to bite your tongue, but do it. If you want to earn the right to share your advice, then shut up until you're asked. Do Not get involved in their disputes either. A good parent will allow and even require that their adult children work out their own relationships! If you get involved in their lives financially, then you have the right to direct their decisions. BUT, otherwise, you need to allow them to make their own decisons and live with their own consequences.

The best possible outcome for Boundaries & Children is simple: Don't be their buddy when their young, be their parent... then you can be buddies when they're grown! Buddies listen, love, and encourage... but they don't push, butt in, or bail out! FIRM but FAIR

Boundaries and Children ...There you have it... It's tough, it's messy, but it's worth it!!!

Blessings,

Pastor Mike

Children & Boundaries

2011-05-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

Age Appropriate Boundaries: Let me first of all stress the individuality and uniqueness of children. Not every child is the same, so not every child responds to the same things. However, there are some basic common denominators for children at different ages and stages. As Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend bring out in their book, Boundaries, the first Ten Months of a child's life is more about "safety" than anything else. Setting boundaries for this stage of life is more about keeping them out of danger than it is discipline or instruction.

11 Months-5 Years: Discipline and instruction boundaries become increasingly important during this stage. Children must learn that they are not the center of the universe and that there are limits and consequences in life. The key from this stage on is to break the "will" without breaking the "spirit" of the child. Listen to my heart here, "If you don't get your children's heart by the time they're 5 years old, they will most likely break yours down the road."

6 Years-1o Years: This is certainly debatable with the way changes are happening so fast in today's world, but children in this stage are in the last years of childhood. This is the time when we need to establish boundaries of character such as: work ethic, respect for authority, responsibility of one's on actions, delay of gratification, goal orientation, and management of time and money!!!

11 Years- 18 Years: Now the transfer is beginning. The goal of "Boundaries" from protective boundaries to instructive boundaries to discipline boundaries is to transfer the authority more and more from us to God. At this stage we need to move more from controlling to influencing. If you have set good boundaries along the way, this will be an easier transition. If you wait until their 13 to try to get control of them, you've waited TOO late! The most important lesson to remember at this point, is that not every mountin is worth dying for. The goal is to increase their level of responsibility as their level of freedom increases.

ALL INCLUSIVE: The greatest thing you can do for your children is COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE. You must care about and be involved in their lives. If you keep the lines of communication open, if your children know that they can talk to you about anything without fear of judgment, if they know you will be honest with them, if they know that you love them... you can survive child rearing!!! Affirmation must be exponential in relation to discipline. For every negative there needs to be 10 positives. Be FOR your kids! Be their biggest fan, their biggest cheerleader. I must have told my kids every day of their lives, "No matter what, I'll always be your friend first. I may be disappointed in you, I may discipline you, but I will always love you. Nothing you can do will ever embarrass me, because I love you for being my child, not what you do. Never, never forget that I am here for you." Although we were far from perfect parents, Lord knows we made plenty of mistakes we'd love to go back and change. But to God's glory, I'm proud of every one of my 4 children and I love them even more today than ever before!
Blessings,
Pastor Mike

Boundaries & Children 05/10/2011

2011-05-11T12:25:00.001-07:00

There's an old saying that says; "If you don't know where you're going, how are you going to know when you get there?" Today as we think a little bit more on our Sunday Sermon: Boundaries & Children, let's consider the future. One of the most important things you need to know about a Road Trip, is where the road your on is going to take you. Have you stopped to look down the road of your life, your home, your children's lives. Every decision we make has consequences. The boundaries you establish today, will determine where you and often those you love, end up tomorrow. Take a long look down the road... where will the boundaries you have or don't have end up? As our children develop into adults they often do in excess what we practiced in moderation. So, get out a sheet of paper, journal, or whatever and write down some of the possible consequences of The Road to Boundaries you're currently on!!!
What boundaries need to change? What boundaries need to be added? What roads look really good? As you consider the past, present, and future you can more confidently establish good, clear, and effective boundaries for your children. Tomorrow, we will discuss age appropriate boundaries. And then on Friday, Boundaries and Adult Children. Remember, there are no perfect parents. So, hang in there and pray a lot!
Blessings,
Pastor Mike

Boundaries & Children 05/10/2011

2011-05-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we talked about looking back at the people and events that have affected the way you have established your boundaries. Today, we look at the present! Are you satisfied with the boundaries in your life? Are there areas where your boundaries are a little weak? Are certain people or things causing havoc in your life? Let me encourage you to get a sheet a paper or a journal and write down the areas of your life where you are NOT SATISFIED with the boundaries. Okay, now what? How do we establish boundaries in areas where our boundaries are weak or non-existent?
1) Look up key words that have to do with those boundaries in a Bible concordance. (You can do that online at Strongs Online Bible Concordance) Then you can see what God says about those boundaries. Also, memorizing Bible verses is a great way to affect real life change!
2) Pray and ask God to help you establish clear boundaries in those areas. You may have to ask Him to give you the right words to say to someone.
3) Look for people in your life who seem to have good boundaries in those areas and talk to them about it. (good advice and counsel can be just what the doctor ordered)
4) Establish accountability with a close and trusted friend. (sometimes just having someone praying for you and encouraging you can go a long way)

Proverbs 4:26 tells us: "Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path."

Hope this helps,
Pastor Mike

Boundaries & Children 05/09/11

2011-05-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 16:7 tells us; "When a people's lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them." We disussed in a very abridged format "Boundaries & Children" in our message yesterday. What we did not go into, was some of the future consequences of Eli's boundary-less home. What happened was, that Samuel riased his children in the same boundary-less manner that Eli raised his. (See 1 Samuel 8:1) Anyway, my point is this... We often struggle setting boundaries with our children because we have a boundary problem our self! In follow up to the Sunday sermon, I encourage you to sit down with a sheet of paper and record your own boundaries. Until you become familiar with your own boundaries, until you can recognize what made you who you are and where your own personal boundaries my lack, you will never be able to set good, solid, and effective boundaries for your own children. What was your home like growing up? What good boundaries can you remember? Where did you lack boundaries in your home? How do you believe those things have affected you as a person? Who was someone you respected as a child for their boundaries? The truth is, whether self imposed or others imposed you must face your own boundary issues! Start by asking God to reveal to you, who you really are. (See Psalm 139:23&24) Ask Him to reveal to you the who and how relationships and circumstances that have shaped your life. Then, ask Him to bring the healing and wholeness to your life that is necessary to establish your own personal boundaries. Once you know who you really are, then you can train your children in THE WAY they should go. (Proverbs 22:6) The bottom line is simple: we all long for PEACE in our homes and lives. Establishing God's boundaries on a personal level will bring that peace to our homes, and even our enemies according to Proverbs 16:7 God's blessings,
Pastor Mike

The Real Halloween

2010-10-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

Skeletons In The Closet

I have a skeleton in my closet
the closet of my head.
It reminds me of secret things,
things better left unsaid.
I fear one day it will come out
and I'll be so ashamed.
I wish that I could tell someone
about my skeleton and my pain.

I really tried to beat in
but so often I give in
to the deep and dirty secret
that is my private sin.
I've tried to figure out
just what could have caused it,
but the only thing I know
is there's a skeleton in my closet.

I want someone to believe me
about just what they did,
but my family deals with secrets
by keeping them well hid.
At night I still remember
and the memories haunt my sleep,
but the skeleton in my closet
says, "Don't you make a peep."

The war may be invisible,
but the battle is very real.
And I'm a P.O.W.
bound by chains that I can feel.
A spirit loves to torment me
from realms I cannot see.
and the skeleton in my closet
hisses,... "Victory!"

The religion that should free me
only ties me down.
The lies and misinterpretations
really have me bound.
Oh, I know they all meant well
as they showed me quote, the way.
And my skeleton drew close
and said, "Listen to what they say."

I fear I never will be free
of fear and guilt and doubt,
until the skeleton in my closet
has finally come out.
Fear and shame flow like water
from a wide open faucet
and my life is being controlled
by the skeleton in my closet.

I know that every person
has a skeleton of their own,
and just because we're not perfect
doesn't mean life don't go on.
But I want to put my skeleton
where it truly needs to be.
I want to finally bury it,
before it buries me!

From my Sermon Series - Skeletons In The Closet
Everbody has a Private Skeleton or perhaps Family Secrets. The truth is, while religion my treat the symptoms, it doesn't cure the disease. Only through a healthy and growing relationship with Jesus Christ will you find the healing that your soul longs for. So, here's hoping for some happy healings for all of us!

As We Think In Our Heart

2010-10-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

Philippians 4:4-8
What is it with life's ups and downs,
we meet the day with smiles or frowns.
For if feelings drive the way we feel
then life will be a hamster wheel.
So, when you get up, you must choose...
will you win or will you lose?
It's what you think that decides your way,
where you go and what you say.
A day started out with God
can help you smile as you onward trod.
There is no magic spell you see,
that can make your life problem free.
But you can look on the bright side though,
and know that God will help you go
through the ups and downs of life
through the circumstances and strife.
Only if you stop to ponder
the Words of God before you wander.
The peace you need can only be found
by thinking on the solid and sound!

Father's Day Thoughts

2009-06-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

What if there was a land somewhere far away
that had no father's
and no Father's Day!

And someone from there was to visit today
and ask what's a father
and what is Father's Day?

I don't know about you, what you would say
but here is my answer
of father and father's Day!

Father's day is a day set aside
when we honor the man
God gave to be our guide.

Some make us happy others make us sad
some call him father
but most call him, Dad!

And as for a father...

Well, he’s the man who rolled with you on the floor
Or played with you out in the backyard.
The one who wasn’t home quite enough,
Because he worked so hard.

The man whose wallet is always lean and trim
Cause every single child thinks he’s the ATM.
The man whose cologne always seems to linger.
The man who joked and said, "Hey! Pull my finger!"

The one with a voice that was low and gruff.
Who had a way of snorting, Stop it! That’s enough.
The man who always backed you and was quick to applaud,
Who led you and taught you about his Father, God!

The one who appears so rough and tough
and upon whom everyone can rely.
But that’s because he hides his pain,
And the things that make him cry.

Dad’s the one who hung the moon,
And who often leaves this life too soon.
He drives away our heartaches and fear
And brings us comfort because he is near.

He’s the mystery man in everybody’s home.
Cause no one knows just what he does or exactly where he roams.
The man whose face grows red as his blood vessels bulge out,
Because when a dad is mad, no one ever has to doubt.

My heart is always heavy and my soul is so, so sad
For everyone who has not known the pleasure of a dad.
For he’s the one whose always there for us in the end
And no matter what we do, is always our faithful friend.

And being a real dad is not perfect, that’s not at all what I mean.
But a real dad is every child’s hero, and every woman’s dream.

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day 2009
May 10th
Today is Mother’s Day. A day that is probably filled with more mixed emotions than there are women wearing fanny packs out at
First Monday.
Nothing seems to lodge in the mind so securely as the well-turned maternal phrase, we’ll call Momilies (those special little sayings your mom used to use). Just listen to your conversations and notice how frequently you offer up a maxim, a piece of advice, or even a threat that your mother used to say… and you swore you never would!
Momilies get passed down from generation to generation. Many of them are all-purpose, a few are cruel, the majority loving. What's amazing is how, year in, year out, they guide our behavior, in ways both large and small. In fact, all you need to do is think of one of your mother's favorite sayings and her voice is magically in your ear,
whether you like it or not.
She may have not been the smartest women to have ever lived, and Lord knows she wasn’t perfect, but the truth is, Mom taught us just about everything we know about life.
Things My Mother Taught Me
My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside - I just finished cleaning!" My mother taught me RELIGION "You better pray that will come out of the carpet." My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!" My mother taught me REASON "Because I said so, that's why."
My mother taught me FORESIGHT "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident" My mother taught me IRONY "Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about." My mother taught me about the science of
OSMOSIS "Shut your mouth and eat your supper!" My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM "Will you "look" at the dirt on the back of your neck!"
My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION "Just wait until we get home."
And my all time favorite... My Mother taught me about JUSTICE "One day you'll have kids ... and I hope they turn out
just like you!
Mother… there are very few words that can
conjure so many emotions by just hearing or
thinking on them, as that word does.
Many of you here today are flooded with warm thoughts of the woman who sacrificed for you, soothed your scraped knees and broken hearts, kissed your fevered foreheads, had some weird sort of ESP, and had eyes in the back of her head.
But others of you were not so fortunate. The word mother may bring feelings that sting your heart. The memories of mom for you are of a self-centered, self-absorbed, unsympathetic, and perhaps even
uncaring and selfish woman.
I don’t mean to make excuses, nor do I intend to
defend anyone’s honor. But one thing I have learned in life, is that it’s easier to judge someone else than it is to understand the reasons behind their behavior.
I don’t know what kind of mom you had and I certainly don’t know the hand she was dealt.
But the one thing I do believe, is that deep in the heart of every woman who wears the title, MOM, beats the desire to be good at it. She may not know how to love you, (because no one ever showed her), but she tries in her own way to do it.
Let’s face it, there are no real moms like Marjorie Lord in Make Room for Daddy, or Jane Wyatt in Father Knows Best, or Harriet Nelson of Ozzie and Harriet, or Barbara Billingsley of Leave It To Beaver.
Erma Bombeck, now there was a real mother. For 30 years she made us laugh and she made us think! She referred to these women as the “Prime-Time Mothers”.
“They look better cleaning their houses than most us did at our wedding. They never lose their temper, gain weight, spend more money than their husbands make, or give us any
reason not to believe that they were living out their lives in celibacy.”
Bombeck reacts to such perfect moms by
admitting her failure to achieve it.
“I was one of the not-quite-ready-for-prime-time mothers. I never wore hose around the house all day, nor did I know anyone personally who did. My kids were the ones the prime-time mothers would not let their kids play with.”
But on the serious side she said, “We all know that being a mom is the hardest, most rewarding job on the face of the earth.”
“You don’t love me!” Bombeck asks, “How many times have your kids laid that one on you?”
She adds; “Someday, when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a mother, I’ll tell them…
I loved you enough to bug you about where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home.
I loved you enough to insist you buy a bike with your own money, which we could afford, and you couldn't.
I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover your hand picked friend was a creep.
I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your bedroom, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes.
I loved you enough to say, "Yes, you can go to Disney World on Mother's Day."
I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, disgust, and tears in my eyes.
I loved you enough not to make excuses for your lack of respect or your bad manners.
I loved you enough to admit that I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness.
I loved you enough to ignore "what every other mother" did or said.
I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall, hurt, and fail.
I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your own actions, at 6, 10, or 16.
I loved you enough to figure you would lie about the party being chaperoned, but forgave you for it...after discovering I was right.
I loved you enough to shove you off my lap, let go of your hand, be mute to your pleas and insensitive to your demands...so that you had to stand alone.
I loved you enough to accept you for what you are, and not what I wanted you to be.
But most of all, I loved you enough to say no when you hated me for it. And that was the hardest part of all.
So, if you had a Mom that conjures up
feelings of resentment and bitterness, there is not better day to forgive her, to try to
understand her even if she’s gone, or to give her another chance if she is still alive, than today, Mother’s Day!
And if your Mom was one of those not ready for prime time moms, who still has place in your heart and a voice in your ear, then there is no better day to remember and
appreciate her, than today, Mother’s Day.

Choosing Life

2009-04-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

In Deuteronomy 30:19, God declares, "...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life,..." I've been thinking about that verse alot, lately. Perhaps because I am staring my 45th birthday in the face, or maybe it's because I have become very sedentary. Either way, I'm realizing that the choices I'm making or bringing me either life or death, blessings or curses. Everything from what I eat, to what I do with my time, to what I look at, say, or do. I have decided that I don't want death or curses. I realize that I have the power to choose, to get up and do something about it. That doesn't mean that it's easy though. Believe me, the older I get the harder it is to discipline my self. Going to the gym gets harder while saying yes to the Oreo cookies gets easier. So, today I took a teeny tiny step, but I took one. If anyone out there reads this, I would appreciate a little encouragement to keep stepping. Plus, feel free to hold me accountable. You can ask if I've chosen life or death today. My intentions are to discipline myself in two ways: Spiritually & Physically. You know, getting back to the basics. Spiritually - prayer and time being a Psalm 1:1-3 kind of guy... Physically - going back to the gym and eating healthier. My goal is to lose 12-15 pounds. Anyway, this is a good tool to put in your shepherd's back... Choice! You have the privilege of choosing, so choose wisely!

Celebrate & Experience The Resurrection

2009-04-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! What a wonderful time of the year. It's spring and Easter is open us. As you celebrate the season, I hope and pray that you experience the resurrection power fresh and new in your life, home, finances, etc. The resurrection is not just some past event, it also provides our present victory. (see Romans 6:4) We are saved and secure in Him. He works all things together for our good. And we have the resurrection power to help us live like were saved! Not only that, but the resurrection assures us of future certainty. One of these days (if you are a believer) we will either rise from the grave or be raptured from the earth, whichever comes first!!! At that point we'll have a glorified body. No more sin nature, Praise God! In the future we can expect either a resurrection or a rapture, a reunion with family and friends, and rewards for serving Him. (study the 5 crowns mentioned in Scripture) So, run that you may win you a crown and then don't let anyone take it from you. (Revelation 3:11) Anyway, I encourage you to celebrate the resurrection past, present, and future. We will celebrate with a special Easter Musical called, "Arise My Love" on Sunday. If you live anywhere around, I hope you can join us at 10:30 am. Otherwise, I'll see you here, there, or in the air!

Search & Rescue

2009-03-25T08:56:00.001-07:00

What exciting days we are living in. Oh, I know it's a little scary, but yet it is thrilling to realize that the Bible prophecies concerning the "last days" seem to be unfolding before our very eyes. The peace we have as Bible believers is that God will protect and deliver us from the destruction of those end times. However, as the time of the end draws near, we should be experiencing some great evangelical results. Even though we are living in times when it seems that more and more people are becoming more and more agnostic or atheistic... people still need the Lord.

As the "church" we sometimes forget who the enemy is. We cannot expect people to act "saved" until they are! Lost people are not the enemy, Satan is. Our "Mission" is search and rescue, that is to search for and rescue the lost.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three separate parables illustrating this great truth. However, a major point is made before He ever begins teaching. In verse 1 it says that "tax collectors and the sinners" drew near to Him. In other words, Jesus attracted people who were not religious. In fact, it was in response to the criticisms from the religious crowd that Jesus responded with the three parables of Luke 15.

The point is simple... we are to be building relationships with people outside the "church" so that we can show them the love of Christ. I know we need intimate and personal relationships with fellow believers, but it shouldn't stop there. We need to be building intimate and influential relationships with people who don't believe, so that they can see our "light", taste the "saltiness", observe our "good works", so that they can see Jesus through our lives.

The days of door knocking are pretty much over. People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Don't get me wrong, we should prepare ourselves to tell people the "good news", and we should pray for opportunities to share the gospel. But the greatest opportunities come by "receiving sinners and eating with them". See Luke 15:2

Whens the last time you wept and prayed for someone who was lost? How many times a day do you wonder about someone, where they will spend eternity? We have grown cold and insensitive to the LOST, and that's why we are Losing the battle.

So, I encourage you to volunteer again for Search and Rescue. Join us Sundays from now through May 3rd... or listen online to the series, Search & Rescue. May 3rd will be Search & Rescue Sunday, and we are praying that lost people will be rescued before it's too late. Not just here, but all over the world. Please feel free to join us by praying for someone you feel may be lost, and also ask God to here the prayers of our members who are praying specifically and intentionally for lost people over the next six weeks.

See you Here, There, or In The Air!
'cause Jesus is coming soon,
Pastor Mike

The Secret to Success

2009-03-17T15:14:00.001-07:00

We have just finished a series entitled, The Quest for Success. We have been talking about God's desire for us to experience the blessings, prosperity, and success He has ordained for those who listen to and follow His principles. We may not experience success the way the world defines it, but what God offers us far exceeds anything this world has to offer. I challenge you to meditate on Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3, Matthew 5:1-11, and 3 John 2. Our concluding message this past Sunday was; The Secret to Success. In Philippians 3:12-14 the Apostle Paul shares his most valuable secret to success. "I follow after", "I reach for", "I press toward the mark for the prize". Calvin Coolidge once said, "Nothing can take the place of Persistence and Determination". I call it F.O.C.U.S.

Fix your heart and mind firmly on succeeding!

Order your life according to God's Principles!

Choose your companions carefully!

Understand how the enemy works!

Stay with it!

Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl.

One was an optimistic soul.

The other took a gloomy view

and said we'll drown without more ado!

And so, with a final sigh,

he kicked up his legs and said goodbye.

The other frog said with a steadfast grin,

"I can't get out, but I won't give in".

"I'll just swim around untill my strength is spent."

"At least I'll die the more content."

And so he set out to fulfill his scheme

and as he struggled he churned the cream.

The more he swam his legs aflutter,

the more the cream turned into butter.

When at last on top of the butter he stopped,

out of the bowl he gladly hopped.

Now the moral here is easily found;

If you can't get out just keep swimming around!

Hang in there baby, sooner or later the victory comes to the one who thinks they can!!!

Success stories come in all shapes and sizes. They come from different backgrounds, circumstances, and situations. But one thing every success has in common... Determination, Persistence, FOCUS!

Keep swimming and God's blessings,

Mike Stone

Time Is Ticking Away

2009-03-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well, we are just about to finish our current series; The Quest for Success. I continue to pray that God is impressing upon all of our members hearts that He has some great plans for us, our home, finances, jobs, and our church this year. There are some exciting things that will be coming our way in the coming months. I'm so excited about what I believe God is going to do.

I encourage you t o be present at church on Sunday and Wednesday, that is the best way to stay connected and keep the vision and dream alive and well. Pray for our church, the leaders, the community, and the kingdom of God to be advanced.

And now it's Daylight Savings Time again. I'm reminded just how fast time is ticking away... and we need to be more zealous, serious, and about His business than we ever have before! I love the challenges and days we are living in. There will be some great outbreaks of revival and God moving in these last days. Besides, it won't be very long and we'll hear the trumpet sound and be out of here!!! As one evangelist used to say; "Gabriel's going to toot, and I'm gonna scoot!" So, even though the economy looks bad and times may seem tough. Even though we wonder if this is it, and we may even be a little scared about. Cheer up!!! God is in control.

So, pray hard, love deep, and live every day to the fullest!!!

The Heart of The Matter

2009-02-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

What a timely, relevant, and needed message that Clinton Everitt brought this past Sunday. There are several themes, principles, or truths in the Bible that we need to be reminded of on a routine basis, and Sunday's subject is certainly one of them. If you were not there I hope I have your curiosity up, if you were there, you know what I'm talking about. It's a message that has been played out in the public arena through stars, athletes, and entertainers. The Eagles are one of those bands that have been able to span the generation gap and gather listeners from different age groups. Their weaknesses, failures, successes, and painful relationships have been paraded down the public streets of life, via the media. The lyrics of their songs often betray their attempts at privacy because their songs are replete with the heartfelt emotions of life. Almost like the Psalms of the Bible, their songs seem to decry the circumstances of their current situations. And so, we find in one of their songs the subject that we studied from the Bible this past Sunday. And why wouldn't we, for sooner or later everyone will deal with it. I must point out again, that the purpose of this blog is to help people put some necessary "stuff" in their "Shepherd's Bag". There are certain things that must be in there when we face some of the giants we will face, or we will not be victorious. Sunday's subject is one of those items. The point of the Eagles song is one of those items. The name of the song is, The Heart of The Matter... and what an appropriate title, for that's exactly what this principle, this truth is!... The Heart of The Matter is FORGIVENESS. We learned a good definition for Forgiveness: Let It Go! How do we know if we really let something go?

F - Focus on the good and not the bad that's been done to you
O - Open yourself up to trust again (you have to be willing to be hurt again)
R - Repeat as often as necessary (forgiving that is)
G - Give forgiveness freely (no conditions)
I - Ignore your desire for revenge (we don't know what "even" is)
V - Validate that persons place (recognize what they bring to the relationship)
E - Erase the scoreboard (no "bone digging" : forgiveness means you will not use that against them ever again)

William Arthur Ward said, "We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive." Forgiveness is of God, by God, and because of God! So, let Him help you put some forgiveness in your bag of tools for successful living!!!

Deus Primus

New in 2009

2009-02-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

We have recently developed (in 2009) a new website for our church. www.come2lifenow.com Since we have developed the site, I want to renew my efforts to blog so that church members and visitors can keep up with my heart and vision. I have deleted most of my old blogs, but will endeavor to blog more faithfully. We will soon add a link to our website that will connect interested people to my blog.

We are also, currently doing two series of study: 1) The Quest for Success on Sunday mornings & 2) God's Will on Wednesday evenings. I encourage you to get the CDs or listen online to these messages because I believe that they will be of great benefit to you, your life, and your relationships in 2009.

This coming Sunday we are having a special "Family Day". We will have as our special guests, Clinton Everitt and his wife T'Shana. T'Shana is a licensed Marriage and Family Conselor. Our church and Oak Grove Baptist Church in Canton refers many of our members, at a discounted rate, to her professional counseling services. The theme this Sunday: Forgiveness

I hope you will check out this blog in the coming days and future. God is still doing some crazy, awesome things and we need to be tuned-in to where He is working. I believe that while we are living in some scary days (economy wise), we are living in the most exciting days (because His return is very near). God has always looked for a people who were willing to walk by faith and join Him in what He wants to do. The "time" we live in, makes Him even more willing to use us, if we will willingly make ourselves available. Or should I say, be willing (most people want it their way, but God wants it His way). So church, this ain't Burger King... As we get ready to face these final days, the vision of our church becomes increasingly more important. Our tagline sums up our philosophy as a church about the Christian life: "It's Not Just Church... It's A Way of Life!"

There are great challenges ahead of us as there are for all God's churches. Will we trust Him in these uncertain times? Will we do what He is doing? Will we be willing to do it His way? Are we ready to face these last days giving it all we got, for the kingdom's sake?

If we are, great things will happen. But, great sacrifices will have to be made. Persecution, misunderstandings, criticism, and even rumors and gossip will be a part of our life. It's one thing to face opposition from without, but a whole different thing to face opposition from within. Let's be united in our goal, our mission, and our vision!!! Very soon I will be preaching a series called, 20/20. It is my prayer and desire to reunite, redirect, and refocus the body of believers as to God's purposes and plans for THE Church and most especially for Our Church!

Let me close by giving you a little motivation to be a part of the 20/20 series: Many things have already been said about us from without and within. In the words of a popular pop song; "Let's give them something to talk about". If the rumors and gossip are out there and they would be effective in the kingdom and honoring to God, then by all means, let's make them true! Let's make honset people out these folks who are talking about how different we are. I think that most of our members and I hope all of our leaders would agree; Our church is not traditional. So, let's not be afraid to break with the traditions of men, so that we can follow the directions of God! I promise there will be some exciting, some scary, and some very non-traditional things to think about! So stay tuned and jump in. The water is fine and God is still on the throne!!!

New Day Same Choice

2008-03-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

In Andy Andrews book, The Lost Choice, it states; "Every single choice you make... every single action you make... matters. But remember, the converse is also true. Every choice you do not make... every action you do not take... matters just as much!" (p.230) We have been given the gift of choice. It's amazing to me how unaware we are sometimes of how simple it really is. When we get up each day, we make a choice. A choice to be down, or a choice to be up. A choice to forgive, or a choice to hold a grudge. A choice to love and enjoy life, or a choice to be negligent of the wonderful gifts God has so graciously provided. In Deuteronomy 30:19 the Bible says; "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore CHOOSE life,..." Every decison we make either brings life or death. Every thought, every action, every choice is blessings or cursings. The Lost Choice is a parable about the hidden potential of the human heart. God, our heavenly Father has given to us the gift of choice. And He has given us by His divine power everything that pertains to life and godliness. Only the choice remains to us. If we'll put the powerful tool of choice in our Shepherd's Bag and use it wisely every day, we can see life and blessings!!!
Choose wisely...

Juggling Act

2008-03-11T08:13:00.001-07:00

Well, as usual, the message I preached on Sunday was aimed more at myself than anyone else. I preached a sermon on "Balance". You would think that after almost 37 years of being a believer, I would understand this "Christian life" a little better than I do. But my words rung true to me and my life this past week. We must maintain a balance in our life or it becomes a juggling act. When we get to juggling everything, sooner or later something is going to hit the ground! Proverbs 25:16 relates a truth that even too much of a good thing can be bad for us. It's easy to get so wrapped up in "good" things that we miss the "best" things sometimes. We need to balance what we allow to stay in our minds, balance what our flesh desires, balance the grace of our Lord Jesus with the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, balance thos crazy emotions that can soar up and down so fast. Rick Warren said in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, "Blessed are the balanced for they shall outlast everyone." Perhaps we need to pace ourselves for the race (Hebrews 12:1), rather than try to sprint through it! Yeah! Balance, that's one thing I'd like to add to my Shepherd's Bag! To any travelers who may pass this way, Be Blessed and Be Balanced!

New Blogger

2008-03-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

Well today is the first day of a new era for me. Blogging was not even heard of when I was born. For anyone interested in my blogspot name, it comes from the story of David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, the story is told about how a young boy fights a giant man of war and wins. Although David's companions tried to give him armor, weapons, etc. None of it felt right or fit right. No! The way he won the battle was with his own stuff. In 1 Samuel 17:49 it says; "Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and slung it and struck the Philistine in his forhead,..." If there's one thing I've learned in this life, it's that you'll never win your battles with somebody elses stuff. Hopefully, I'll be able share some of the stuff in my bag so that you can put into your own bag the things you'll need to succeed! I look forward to sharing what I've learned (mostly the hard way) so that it might help someone else. Remember, the victory does not always come to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later the victory comes to the one who thinks he can! I'll be back,
Mike